Residual Disease Burden After Neoadjuvant Therapy Among US Patients With High-Risk HER2-positive Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Population Effectiveness Model.

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of patients with high-risk HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) do not have pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy. The residual burden of disease among this population has not been previously quantified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used decision-modeling techniques to simulate recurrence, progression from locoregional to distant cancer, breast cancer-related mortality, and mortality from other causes over a 10-year period in a hypothetical cohort. We derived progression probabilities primarily from the KATHERINE trial of T-DM1 (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) and mortality outcomes from the published literature. Modeled outcomes included recurrences, breast cancer deaths, deaths from other causes, direct medical costs, and costs due to lost productivity. To estimate the residual disease burden, we compared outcomes from a cohort of patients treated with T-DM1 versus a hypothetical cohort with no disease recurrence. RESULTS: We estimated that 9,300 people would experience incident high-risk HER2-positive ESBC in the United States in 2021 based on cancer surveillance databases, clinical trial data, and expert opinion. We estimated that, in this group, 2,118 would experience disease recurrence, including 1,576 distant recurrences, and 1,358 would experience breast cancer deaths. This residual disease burden resulted in 6,435 life-years lost versus the recurrence-free cohort, and healthcare-related costs totaling $644 million, primarily associated with treating distant cancers. CONCLUSION: Patients with HER2-positive ESBC who do not achieve pCR after neoadjuvant therapy are at ongoing risk of recurrence despite the effectiveness of neoadjuvant treatment. There is substantial clinical and economic value in further reducing the residual disease burden in this population.

Validation of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire in Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The primary goal for treating patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) is to improve their symptoms, function, and quality of life. Although the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) is a valid, reliable, and sensitive measure for other etiologies of heart failure, its appropriateness for patients with oHCM is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to establish the interpretability, validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the KCCQ in patients with oHCM. METHODS: Cognitive debriefing of the KCCQ was performed in 26 patients with oHCM. The validity, reliability, responsiveness, and interpretability of the KCCQ were tested in 196 participants from the EXPLORER-HCM trial by comparing each scale with relevant comparators, describing the internal reliability and the mean change in stable patients, and comparing the mean change in patients who reported different degrees of clinical change using a patient-reported global impression of change (PGIC). RESULTS: All KCCQ domains demonstrated strong correlations with external standards of symptoms, function, social limitation, and quality of life, including a recently designed instrument measuring symptoms not captured by the KCCQ (P < 0.0001 for all). Mean changes in stable patients were nonsignificant, ranging from 0.21 to 2.3 points (P > 0.30 for all), with high intraclass correlation coefficients. The mean changes in patients with small, moderate, and large clinical changes were consistent with the 5-, 10-, and 20-point mean differences observed in other etiologies of heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: The KCCQ is well understood by patients with oHCM and has strong evidence of good psychometric performance. It can not only serve as a relevant endpoint in clinical trials of oHCM therapy, but may also prove useful in the clinical care of patients with oHCM. (Clinical Study to Evaluate Mavacamten [MYK-461] in Adults With Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy [EXPLORER-HCM]; NCT03470545).

Longitudinal Psychometric Analysis of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Symptom Questionnaire (HCMSQ) Using Outcomes from the Phase III EXPLORER-HCM Trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) symptoms include shortness of breath (SOB), fatigue, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, and fainting. The HCM Symptom Questionnaire (HCMSQ), the only patient-reported outcome instrument designed to specifically measure HCM symptoms, yields four domain scores (SOB, tiredness, cardiovascular symptoms, syncope) and a total score. We evaluated the longitudinal psychometric properties of the HCMSQ using baseline to week 30 data from the phase III EXPLORER-HCM trial (NCT03470545). METHODS: Test-retest reliability was assessed via intraclass correlation of patients with stable Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGIS) responses. Sensitivity to change was assessed via Spearman correlations with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-23) and the EuroQoL visual analogue scale (EQ VAS), and via one-way ANOVA comparing change groups defined on clinical (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class, left ventricular outflow tract [LVOT] gradient, peak oxygen consumption [pVO2]) and patient-reported (PGIS, PGIC) variables. Meaningful change thresholds were established via PGIC/PGIS. RESULTS: All HCMSQ scores showed strong evidence of test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.70). Sensitivity to change was demonstrated with mostly strong/moderate correlations with KCCQ-23 and EQ VAS, and significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in PGIS, PGIC, pVO2, and NYHA (except tiredness domain) change categories, but not LVOT gradient. Clinically meaningful score reductions were ≥1 point for tiredness and cardiovascular symptoms domains, ≥ 2.5 points for SOB domain, and ≥2 points for total score. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that HCMSQ is fit for purpose in capturing HCM symptoms and may provide evidence of treatment benefit from the patients' perspectives.

Mavacamten for treatment of symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (EXPLORER-HCM): health status analysis of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Improving symptoms is a primary treatment goal in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Currently available pharmacological options for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are not disease-specific and are often inadequate or poorly tolerated. We aimed to assess the effect of mavacamten, a first-in-class cardiac myosin inhibitor, on patients' health status-ie, symptoms, physical and social function, and quality of life. METHODS: We did a health status analysis of EXPLORER-HCM, a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The study took place at 68 clinical cardiovascular centres in 13 countries. Adult patients (≥18 years) with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (gradient ≥50 mm Hg and New York Heart Association class II-III) were randomly assigned (1:1) to mavacamten or placebo for 30 weeks, followed by an 8-week washout period. Both patients and staff were masked to study treatment. The primary outcome for this secondary analysis was the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), a well validated disease-specific measure of patients' health status. It was administered at baseline and weeks 6, 12, 18, 30 (end of treatment), and 38 (end of study). Changes from baseline to week 30 in KCCQ overall summary (OS) score and all subscales were analysed using mixed model repeated measures. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03470545. FINDINGS: Between May 30, 2018, and July 12, 2019, 429 adults were assessed for eligibility, of whom 251 (59%) were enrolled and randomly assigned. Of 123 patients randomly assigned to mavacamten, 92 (75%) completed the KCCQ at baseline and week 30 and of the 128 patients randomly assigned to placebo 88 (69%) completed the KCCQ at baseline and week 30. At 30 weeks, the change in KCCQ-OS score was greater with mavacamten than placebo (mean score 14·9 [SD 15·8] vs 5·4 [13·7]; difference +9·1 [95% CI 5·5-12·8]; p<0·0001), with similar benefits across all KCCQ subscales. The proportion of patients with a very large change (KCCQ-OS ≥20 points) was 36% (33 of 92) in the mavacamten group versus 15% (13 of 88) in the placebo group, with an estimated absolute difference of 21% (95% CI 8·8-33·4) and number needed to treat of five (95% CI 3-11). These gains returned to baseline after treatment was stopped. INTERPRETATION: Mavacamten markedly improved the health status of patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy compared with placebo, with a low number needed to treat for marked improvement. Given that the primary goals of treatment are to improve symptoms, physical and social function, and quality of life, mavacamten represents a new potential strategy for achieving these goals. FUNDING: MyoKardia, a Bristol Myers Squibb company.

Diabetic Population-Based Model to Estimate Impact of Ranibizumab on Diabetic Retinopathy Severity in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: Estimate effects of ranibizumab on diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity in US Hispanic and non-Hispanic white persons with center-involved diabetic macular edema (DME) causing vision impairment for whom ranibizumab treatment would be considered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This model simulated DR severity outcomes over 2 years in the better-seeing eye using US census, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy, and Los Angeles Latino Eye Study data. Baseline DR severity estimated from Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network trial data. Changes in DR severity after 2 years, with/without monthly ranibizumab (0.3 or 0.5 mg), were estimated from Phase III clinical trial data (RIDE/RISE) using a 2-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation model. Number of patients over a 2-year period for whom 1) DR severity worsening was avoided, 2) DR severity improved, and 3) selected clinical events related to proliferative DR (PDR) occurred, was estimated. RESULTS: An estimated 37,274 US Hispanic and non-Hispanic white persons were projected to have DR with center-involved DME and be eligible for ranibizumab treatment. The number of persons with moderately severe non-proliferative DR (NPDR) or less severe DR at baseline who would worsen to PDR and experience a PDR complication over 2 years would be reduced from 437 with no ranibizumab to 19 with ranibizumab (95% reduction; 95% simulation interval [SI], 79-100%). The number of persons with severe NPDR or less severe DR at baseline who would be expected to improve by ≥2 DR severity levels over 2 years would increase from 1706 with no ranibizumab to 13,042 with ranibizumab (682% increase; 95% SI, 478-967%). CONCLUSION: This model estimates that ranibizumab treatment in US Hispanic and non-Hispanic white patients with center-involved DME causing vision impairment would potentially reduce the number of patients with worsening DR and potentially increase the number with DR improvements.

Correction to: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Patiromer and Spironolactone Therapy in Heart Failure Patients with Hyperkalemia.

Correction to Bounthavong M, Butler J, Dolan CM, Dunn JD, Fisher KA, Oestreicher N, Pitt B, Hauptman PJ, Veenstra DL.

Maximum Reading Speed in Patients With Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration. GA often initially spares the center of the fovea, leading to a functional disconnect between reading speed and distance visual acuity. This study was designed to determine the correlation between baseline GA lesion size, change in lesion size, and maximum reading speed (MRS) over 18 months. Methods: Post hoc analysis included US patients from the phase 2 Mahalo study of intravitreal lampalizumab with Minnesota low-vision reading (MNREAD) assessments at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 months. Binocular MRS was assessed using MNREAD Acuity Charts and GA lesion size by fundus autofluorescence. Correlations were estimated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: Seventy-seven patients were included in the analysis. Baseline MRS correlated with baseline GA lesion size (correlation coefficient, -0.47; 95% confidence interval, -0.63 to -0.28; P < 0.0001). In patients with lesions ≥10 mm2 (four disc areas), the proportion reading below a nonfluent level (MRS, <40 words/min) at baseline (26.5%) increased to 64.7% by 18 months, versus patients with lesions <10 mm2 (baseline, 9.3%; 18 months, 7.0%). MRS declined by a median of 40.9% (interquartile range [IQR], -70.2 to -6.9) in patients with ≥2.5 mm2 lesion growth versus 8.2% (IQR, -34.6 to 11.0) in patients with <2.5 mm2 lesion growth from baseline to 18 months. Conclusions: These findings suggest that baseline GA lesion size and magnitude of lesion growth are associated with a decline in MRS over time and support the use of MRS as an evaluation of functional vision in patients with GA.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Patiromer and Spironolactone Therapy in Heart Failure Patients with Hyperkalemia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Certain patients with heart failure (HF) are unable to tolerate spironolactone therapy due to hyperkalemia. Patiromer is a novel agent used to treat hyperkalemia and has been shown to be efficacious, safe, and well-tolerated. The potential clinical outcomes and economic value of using patiromer and spironolactone in patients with HF unable to otherwise tolerate spironolactone due to hyperkalemia are unclear. The objective of this analysis was to model the potential pharmacoeconomic value of using patiromer and spironolactone in patients with a history of hyperkalemia that prevents them from utilizing spironolactone. METHODS: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment with patiromer, spironolactone, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV HF compared with ACEI alone. A Markov model was constructed to simulate a cohort of 65-year-old patients diagnosed with HF from the payer perspective across the lifetime horizon. Clinical inputs were derived from the RALES and OPAL-HK randomized trials of spironolactone and patiromer, respectively. Utility estimates and costs were derived from the literature and list prices. Outcomes assessed included hospitalization, life expectancy, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), costs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). One-way and probability sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the model findings. RESULTS: Treatment with patiromer-spironolactone-ACEI was projected to increase longevity compared with ACEI alone (5.29 vs. 4.62 life-years gained, respectively), greater QALYs (2.79 vs. 2.60), and costs (US$28,200 vs. US$18,200), giving an ICER of US$52,700 per QALY gained. The ICERs ranged from US$40,000 to US$85,800 per QALY gained in 1-way sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the use of spironolactone-patiromer-ACEI may provide clinical benefit and good economic value in patients with NYHA class III-IV HF unable to tolerate spironolactone due to hyperkalemia.

Reliability and Construct Validity of the NEI VFQ-25 in a Subset of Patients With Geographic Atrophy From the Phase 2 Mahalo Study.

PURPOSE: Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration characterized by progressive, irreversible visual function loss. This analysis evaluates the psychometric properties of the 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) composite, near activity, and distance activity scores in patients with GA. DESIGN: Reliability and validity study. METHODS: Reliability and validity were tested with NEI VFQ-25 data collected from 100 subjects with GA from United States' sites of the phase 2 Mahalo study of lampalizumab (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01229215). RESULTS: Strong internal consistency and reproducibility were demonstrated for the NEI VFQ-25 composite (Cronbach's α, 0.95; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.86), near activity (Cronbach's α, 0.84; ICC, 0.80), and distance activity (Cronbach's α, 0.84; ICC, 0.84) scores. Convergent validity with the binocular measures, Minnesota Low-Vision Reading Test (MNRead) reading speed and Functional Reading Independence (FRI) index score, was demonstrated for baseline NEI VFQ-25 composite (Pearson correlation [r] = 0.61 and 0.69, respectively), near activities (r = 0.69 and 0.73), and distance activities (r = 0.57 and 0.64) scores. Known-group validity testing for baseline mean NEI VFQ-25 scores (composite, near activities, and distance activities) showed differences between patients with mean maximum MNRead reading speed ≥ 80 vs < 80 words per minute, and between mean FRI index score ≥ 2.5 vs < 2.5 (all P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Psychometric evidence supports the NEI VFQ-25 as a reliable and valid cross-sectional measure of the impact of GA on patient visual function and vision-related quality of life.

RESPONSIVENESS OF THE NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE VISUAL FUNCTION QUESTIONNAIRE-25 TO VISUAL ACUITY GAINS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA: Evidence From the RIDE and RISE Trials.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the responsiveness of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) in patients with diabetic macular edema using data from the RIDE and RISE trials. METHODS: Patients were randomized to monthly intravitreal ranibizumab 0.3 mg, 0.5 mg, or sham injections for 2 years. The NEI VFQ-25 was administered at baseline and at Months 6, 12, 18, and 24. The least-squares mean change in NEI VFQ-25 for ≥15 letters gained or lost was derived from analysis of covariance models. RESULTS: The mean improvement in NEI VFQ-25 composite score associated with a ≥15-letter gain in best-corrected visual acuity over 24 months was 9.0 (95% confidence interval, 6.3-11.7) points in RIDE and 7.1 (95% confidence interval, 4.7-9.6) points in RISE. In patients who lost ≥15 letters, the mean worsening in overall NEI VFQ-25 composite score was -6.6 (95% confidence interval, -13.6 to 0.5) in RIDE and -2.7 (95% confidence interval, -8.9 to 3.5) in RISE. CONCLUSION: This exploratory analysis of data from the RIDE and RISE studies supports the responsiveness of the NEI VFQ-25 to changes in best-corrected visual acuity over time in patients with diabetic macular edema.

Functional Reading Independence (FRI) Index: A New Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Patients With Geographic Atrophy.

Purpose: To develop and validate the Functional Reading Independence (FRI) Index, a new patient-reported outcome measure assessing reading activities in individuals with geographic atrophy (GA) due to age-related macular degeneration. Methods: The Index was developed through expert consultation and qualitative patient interviews. Reliability, validity, and responsiveness were tested with data from the Mahalo study (NCT01229215) of lampalizumab in patients with GA. Results: Qualitative interviews (n = 40) yielded a 10-item FRI Index, which was refined to seven items in quantitative testing (n = 100). Strong internal consistency (marginal reliability = 0.90) and reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.86) were shown. Known-group validity testing for baseline mean FRI Index scores showed differences (mean [SD]) between patients with Minnesota Low-Vision Reading test reading speed ≥80 vs. <80 words per minute (3.0 [0.7] vs. 1.9 [0.7]; P < 0.001), and between patients above vs. below median values on the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) score (2.9 [0.7] vs. 2.1 [0.8]; P < 0.001). Convergent validity with binocular measures was strong (Spearman's correlation = 0.72 for reading speed, 0.66 for NEI-VFQ-25). Analysis of sensitivity to change revealed mean FRI Index score changes for patients with GA lesion size growth ≥2.5 mm2/18 months of -0.41 (0.70) vs. -0.13 (0.61) for patients with lesion growth <2.5 mm2/18 months (P = 0.07). Conclusions: The FRI Index demonstrated good reliability and validity in patients with GA. Further study in a broader GA population is warranted to confirm responsiveness.

Effect of Ranibizumab on the Decision to Drive and Vision Function Relevant to Driving in Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema: Report From RESTORE, RIDE, and RISE Trials.

IMPORTANCE: The potential effect of treatments for diabetic macular edema (DME) on driving should be of value to patients and clinicians, such as ophthalmologists and other physicians, who treat patients with diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of ranibizumab on driving and patient-reported vision function relevant to driving among patients with DME. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This exploratory post hoc analysis was conducted between October 1, 2011, and July 25, 2015, based on deidentified data from phase 3, multicenter, randomized clinical trials (RIDE, RISE, and RESTORE trials). Individuals assigned randomly to monthly sham, 0.3-mg ranibizumab, or 0.5-mg ranibizumab in RIDE and RISE or to macular laser, macular laser plus 0.5-mg ranibizumab (3-monthly doses, then as needed), or 0.5-mg (3-monthly doses, then as needed) in RESTORE. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Driving items from the National Eye Institute (NEI) Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25) at baseline through 24 months in RIDE/RISE (pooled) and through 12 months in RESTORE. RESULTS: A total of 71.2% of 753 patients in RIDE/RISE and 50.4% of 345 patients in RESTORE reported driving at baseline; at least 55% reported still driving at follow-up. Among those not driving at baseline in RIDE/RISE, at 12 months, 7.0% (95% CI, -5.0 to 19.0) more in the 0.3-mg group and 14.4% (95% CI, 1.1 to 27.7) more in the 0.5-mg group vs the sham group reported driving. Among those not driving at baseline in RESTORE, at 12 months, 4.2% (95% CI, -7.7 to 16.1) more in the laser plus 0.5-mg group and 0.9% (95% CI, -10.3 to 12.1) more in the 0.5-mg group vs the laser group reported driving. Although balanced at baseline across treatment groups for RESTORE and RIDE/RISE, the proportion of patients with best-corrected visual acuity typically required for an unrestricted license (20/40 or better in at least 1 eye) appeared greater at month 12 in the ranibizumab groups (77 of 80 [96.3%] for 0.5 mg + laser and 91 of 93 [97.8%] for 0.5 mg) vs laser (71 of 79 [89.9%]) in RESTORE, and at months 12 (112 of 123 [91.1%] and 136 of 137 [99.3%] in 0.3- and 0.5-mg groups, respectively) and 24 (113 of 123 [91.9%] and 135 of 137 [98.5%] in the 0.3- and 0.5-mg groups, respectively) vs sham (121 of 147 [82.3%] and 122 of 147 [83.0%]) in RIDE/RISE. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These results suggest that 12 months after initiating ranibizumab for vision impairment from center-involved DME, patients not driving at initiation of treatment are more likely to report driving and have driving-eligible visual acuity of 20/40 or better in the better-seeing eye than those treated with sham or laser. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: RESTORE: NCT00687804; RIDE: NCT00473382; and RISE: NCT00473330.

Visual Impairment and Blindness Avoided with Ranibizumab in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Whites with Diabetic Macular Edema in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate visual impairment (VI) and blindness avoided with intravitreal ranibizumab 0.3 mg treatment for central-involved diabetic macular edema (DME) among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white individuals in the United States. DESIGN: Population-based model simulating visual acuity (VA) outcomes over 2 years after diagnosis and treatment of DME. PARTICIPANTS: Visual acuity changes with and without ranibizumab were based on data from the RISE, RIDE, and DRCR Network trials. METHODS: For the better-seeing eye, VA outcomes included VI, defined as worse than 20/40 in the better-seeing eye, and blindness, defined as VA of 20/200 or worse in the better-seeing eye. Incidence of 1 or both eyes with central-involved DME in 2010 were estimated based on the 2010 United States population, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and 1-year central-involved DME incidence rate. Sixty-one percent of incident individuals had bilateral DME and 39% had unilateral DME, but DME could develop in the fellow eye. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Cases of VI and blindness avoided with ranibizumab treatment. RESULTS: Among approximately 102 million Hispanic and non-Hispanic white individuals in the United States 45 years of age and older in 2010, an estimated 37 274 had central-involved DME and VI eligible for ranibizumab treatment. Compared with no ranibizumab treatment, the model predicted that ranibizumab 0.3 mg every 4 weeks would reduce the number of individuals with VI from 11 438 (95% simulation interval [SI], 7249-16 077) to 6304 (95% SI, 3921-8981), a 45% (95% SI, 36%-53%) reduction at 2 years. Ranibizumab would reduce the number of incident eyes with VA worse than 20/40 from 16 910 (95% SI, 10 729-23 577) to 9361 (95% SI, 5839-13 245), a 45% (95% SI, 38%-51%) reduction. Ranibizumab was estimated to reduce the number of individuals with legal blindness by 75% (95% SI, 58%-88%) and the number of incident eyes with VA of 20/200 or worse by 76% (95% SI, 63%-87%). CONCLUSIONS: This model suggests that ranibizumab 0.3 mg every 4 weeks substantially reduces prevalence of VI and legal blindness 2 years after initiating treatment among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white individuals in the United States with central-involved DME that has caused vision loss.

Prevalence of and risk factors for diabetic macular edema in the United States.

IMPORTANCE: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss in persons with diabetes mellitus. Although there are national estimates for the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its risk factors among persons with diabetes, to our knowledge, no comparable estimates are available for DME specifically. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of DME in the US population and to identify associated risk factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional analysis of 1038 participants aged 40 years or older with diabetes and valid fundus photographs in the 2005 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The overall prevalence of DME and its prevalence according to age, race/ethnicity, and sex. RESULTS: Of the 1038 persons with diabetes analyzed for this study, 55 had DME, for an overall weighted prevalence of 3.8% (95% CI, 2.7%-4.9%) or approximately 746, 000 persons in the US 2010 population aged 40 years or older. We identified no differences in the prevalence of DME by age or sex. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of having DME were higher for non-Hispanic blacks than for non-Hispanic whites (odds ratio [OR], 2.64; 95% CI, 1.19-5.84; P = .02). Elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.26-1.71 for each 1%; P < .001) and longer duration of diabetes (OR, 8.51; 95% CI, 3.70-19.54 for ≥ 10 vs <10 years; P < .001) were also associated with DME prevalence. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These results suggest a greater burden of DME among non-Hispanic blacks, individuals with high levels of hemoglobin A1c, and those with longer duration of diabetes. Given recent treatment advances in reducing vision loss and preserving vision in persons with DME, it is imperative that all persons with diabetes receive early screening; this recommendation is even more important for those at higher risk for DME.

Vision-related function after ranibizumab treatment for diabetic macular edema: results from RIDE and RISE.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis; Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA) treatment on patient-reported vision-related function, as assessed by 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) scores, in patients with visual impairment secondary to center-involved diabetic macular edema (DME). DESIGN: Within 2 randomized, double-masked, phase 3 clinical trials (RIDE [A Study of Ranibizumab Injection in Subjects With Clinically Significant Macular Edema {ME} With Center Involvement Secondary to Diabetes Mellitus; NCT00473382] and RISE [A Study of Ranibizumab Injection in Subjects With Clinically Significant Macular Edema {ME} With Center Involvement Secondary to Diabetes Mellitus; NCT00473330]), the NEI VFQ-25 was administered at baseline and at the 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-up visits. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred eighty-two (100%) RIDE patients and 377 (100%) RISE patients. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to monthly injections of intravitreal ranibizumab 0.3 or 0.5 mg or sham. Study participants could receive macular laser for DME from month 3 onward if specific criteria were met. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Exploratory post hoc analysis of mean change from baseline in NEI VFQ-25 scores at 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: Across all treatment arms, 13% to 28% of enrolled eyes were the better-seeing eye. For all eyes in RIDE and RISE, the mean change in NEI VFQ-25 composite score improved more in ranibizumab-treated eyes at both the 12- and 24-month visits compared with sham treatment. For the better-seeing eyes at baseline, the mean change in composite score with 0.3 mg ranibizumab at the 24-month visit was 10.9 more (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5-19.2) than sham for RIDE patients and 1.3 more (95% CI, -10.5 to 13.0) than sham for RISE patients. For the worse-seeing eyes at baseline, the mean change in composite score with 0.3 mg ranibizumab at the 24-month visit was 1.0 more (95% CI, -4.7 to 6.7) than sham for RIDE patients and 1.8 more (95% CI, -2.7 to 6.2) than sham for RISE patients. Similar results for most of these outcomes were seen with 0.5 mg ranibizumab. CONCLUSIONS: These phase 3 trials demonstrated that ranibizumab treatment for DME likely improves patient-reported vision-related function outcomes compared with sham, further supporting treatment of DME with ranibizumab.

Estimated cases of blindness and visual impairment from neovascular age-related macular degeneration avoided in Australia by ranibizumab treatment.

Intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, such as ranibizumab, have significantly improved the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. This study used patient-level simulation modelling to estimate the number of individuals in Australia who would have been likely to avoid legal blindness or visual impairment due to neovascular age-related macular degeneration over a 2-year period as a result of intravitreal ranibizumab injections. The modelling approach used existing data for the incidence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Australia and outcomes from ranibizumab trials. Blindness and visual impairment were defined as visual acuity in the better-seeing eye of worse than 6/60 or 6/12, respectively. In 2010, 14,634 individuals in Australia were estimated to develop neovascular age-related macular degeneration who would be eligible for ranibizumab therapy. Without treatment, 2246 individuals would become legally blind over 2 years. Monthly 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab would reduce incident blindness by 72% (95% simulation interval, 70-74%). Ranibizumab given as needed would reduce incident blindness by 68% (64-71%). Without treatment, 4846 individuals would become visually impaired over 2 years; this proportion would be reduced by 37% (34-39%) with monthly intravitreal ranibizumab, and by 28% (23-33%) with ranibizumab given as needed. These data suggest that intravitreal injections of ranibizumab, given either monthly or as needed, can substantially lower the number of cases of blindness and visual impairment over 2 years after the diagnosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Underuse of the health care system by persons with diabetes mellitus and diabetic macular edema in the United States.

IMPORTANCE: Thickening of the center of the retina, diabetic macular edema (DME), is the most common cause of visual loss due to diabetes mellitus. Treatment of DME has improved dramatically, and the prompt diagnosis of DME and referral of these patients have become more critical. Nonetheless, awareness of and care for DME in the US population is uncharacterized. OBJECTIVE: To characterize eye care and awareness of eye disease among persons with DME in the general US population. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional analysis of data from participants in the 2005 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 40 years or older with diabetes mellitus and fundus photographs. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Among persons with DME, (1) awareness that diabetes has affected their eyes; (2) report on the last time they visited a diabetes specialist; (3) report on their last eye examination with pupil dilation; and (4) prevalence of visual impairment. RESULTS: In 2010, only 44.7% (95% CI, 27.0%-62.4%) of US adults 40 years or older with DME reported being told by a physician that diabetes had affected their eyes or that they had retinopathy; 46.7% (95% CI, 27.5%-66.0%), that they had visited a diabetes nurse educator, dietician, or nutritionist for their diabetes mellitus more than 1 year ago or never; and 59.7% (95% CI, 43.5%-75.9%), that they had received an eye examination with pupil dilation in the last year. Among persons with DME, 28.7% (95% CI, 12.7%-44.7%) were visually impaired (defined as visual acuity worse than 20/40 in the eye with DME) based on visual acuity at the initial examination and 16.0% (95% CI, 2.5%-29.4%) based on best-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Many persons with diabetes mellitus in the United States are not getting care that can prevent visual impairment and blindness. Strategies to increase awareness are warranted, especially given the recent availability of improved therapies for DME.

Reading speed improvements in retinal vein occlusion after ranibizumab treatment.

IMPORTANCE: Treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion with ranibizumab has been shown to improve visual acuity compared with macular laser or observation. It is important to determine whether these visual acuity improvements translate into measurable improvements in visual function. OBJECTIVE: To examine the benefit of ranibizumab (Lucentis) on measured reading speed, a direct performance assessment, through 6 months in eyes of patients with macular edema after retinal vein occlusion (RVO). DESIGN Two multicenter, double-masked, phase 3 trials in which participants with macular edema after branch RVO or central RVO were randomized 1:1:1 to monthly sham, ranibizumab, 0.3 mg, or ranibizumab, 0.5 mg, for 6 months. SETTING: Community- and academic-based ophthalmology practices specializing in retinal diseases. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred eighty-nine eyes of 789 participants who were at least aged 18 years with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion in the branch vein occlusion (BRAVO) and central vein occlusion (CRUISE) trials. INTERVENTIONS: Eyes were randomized 1:1:1 to 1 of 3 groups for monthly injections for 6 months: sham (132 in BRAVO and 130 in CRUISE), intravitreal ranibizumab, 0.3 mg (134 in BRAVO and 132 in CRUISE), and intravitreal ranibizumab, 0.5 mg (131 in BRAVO and 130 in CRUISE). Patients were able to receive macular laser after 3 months if they met prespecified criteria. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Reading speed in the study eye was measured with enlarged text (letter size equivalent to approximately 20/1500 at the test distance) at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months. The number of correctly read words per minute (wpm) was reported. The reading speed test requires a sixth-grade reading level and does not account for literacy or cognitive state. RESULTS In patients with branch RVO, the mean gain for the 0.5-mg group was 31.3 wpm compared with 15.0 wpm in sham-treated eyes (difference, 16.3 wpm; P = .007) at 6 months. In patients with central RVO, the mean gain for the 0.5-mg group was 20.5 wpm compared with 8.1 wpm in sham-treated eyes (difference, 12.4 wpm; P = .01) at 6 months. A gain of 15 or more letters of best-corrected visual acuity letter score corresponded to an increase in reading speed of 12.3 wpm and 15.8 wpm in patients with branch and central RVO, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These results suggest that patients with macular edema after RVO treated monthly with ranibizumab are more likely to have improvements in reading speed of the affected eyes through 6 months compared with sham treatment. These results demonstrate the relevance of the treatment benefit to functional visual gain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00486018 and NCT00485836.

Driving ability reported by neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients after treatment with ranibizumab.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of ranibizumab on driving status, driving ability perception, and having 20/40 vision or better in patients with choroidal neovascularization resulting from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Phase III, multicenter, randomized clinical trials (Minimally Classic/Occult Trial of the Anti-VEGF Antibody Ranibizumab in the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration [MARINA] and Anti-VEGF Antibody for the Treatment of Predominantly Classic Choroidal Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration [ANCHOR]). PARTICIPANTS: One thousand one hundred twenty-six patients with choroidal neovascularization resulting from AMD. METHODS: Participants were assigned randomly to sham (n=238), 0.3-mg ranibizumab monthly injections (n=238), or 0.5-mg ranibizumab monthly injections (n=240) for 24 months (MARINA), or were randomized to verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT; n=143), 0.3-mg ranibizumab monthly injections (n=140), or 0.5-mg ranibizumab monthly injections (n=140) for 24 months (ANCHOR). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported driving status and driving ability perception were assessed as exploratory outcomes at baseline through 24 months after baseline using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire. Best-corrected visual acuity in each eye was assessed monthly through 24 months. RESULTS: At baseline, 68.6% of patients in the MARINA trial and 62.7% of patients in the ANCHOR trial reported driving. Among patients driving at baseline in the MARINA trial 2 years after randomization, 67.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59.2-75.2) of sham patients and 78.4% (95% CI, 71.8-85.0) of 0.5-mg patients reported that they were still driving. Among patients driving at baseline in the ANCHOR trial at 2 years after randomization, 71.6% (95% CI, 60.8-82.4) of PDT patients and 91.4% (95% CI, 85.3-97.5) of 0.5-mg patients were still driving. Also in the ANCHOR trial, ranibizumab-treated patients who were not driving at baseline seemed more likely to drive by months 12 and 24 than PDT patients. Perception of driving ability was correlated with improvement in visual acuity (VA) in the better-seeing eye at 12 and 24 months (R2=0.17 and R2=0.20 at 12 and 24 months, respectively [P<0.001], in the MARINA trial; R2=0.13 and R2=0.14, respectively [P<0.001], in the ANCHOR trial). Visual acuity in one or both eyes 2 years after randomization was more likely to be 20/40 or better in the ranibizumab-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that patients with neovascular AMD treated with ranibizumab are more likely to report driving ability and have vision of at least 20/40 than patients given sham treatment or PDT. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.